11/28/07:

"Eucharist" - Linda Beane-Katner

You have heard four wonderful reflections about how participants on the Heritage Tour experienced the core charisms of the Norbertine Order.  I have the privilege of reflecting on the notion of Eucharist, which is one of the canonical traditions of the Norbertines.  Historically for St. Norbert, the Eucharist was the heart of liturgical prayer, and was so central to his spiritual life and ministry that later tradition made Norbert “the apostle of the Eucharist.”  Contrary to established custom of other religious communities at the time, St. Norbert celebrated Mass every day. This was extraordinary for his day and age.  He loved preaching after being inspired and filled with love from contact with Christ through the Eucharist.   

We started our trip with a celebratory dinner, which I would dub, following our theme, a sort of First Supper.  We made merry, sharing food, wine, conversation, and excitement about the trip.  It was what I would call eucharist with a little e.  The next morning we visited Strahov Abbey in Prague. St. Norbert is buried there in a beautifully adorned side chapel. His remains were transferred to Strahov for safekeeping because of unrest during the Reformation. Jay, Sal, and Xave donned their vestments as we celebrated a spontaneous, but very meaningful Mass in that chapel. The image that was shown during Paul’s reflection captured the moment. Our hearts were filled with the spirit of St. Norbert as we worshiped and shared Eucharist together.  It was a healing moment that brought together and united the 23 participants of the trip.  It was a moment of true grace.

Another moment of grace came at Zéliv Abbey, also in the Czech Republic.  We had just visited Tepla Abbey in the former Sudatenland, an area where Catholicism has precipitously declined. In stark contrast, Zeliv abbey was packed full of families with young children that Sunday morning.  It was standing room only; people were leaning over the balconies and standing in the back and along the sides of the church.  The atmosphere was very lively as children flowed out of the pews.  This Eucharist represented vitality and hope for the future.  We didn’t understand the service as it was delivered in the Czech language. However, Richard, our host, welcomed us in English during the service and prayed for us.  Our Norbertine brothers and sisters constantly prayed for us, and asked us to pray for them, wherever we visited. Unity in prayer, unity in eucharist; we were continually moved. 

But what might be even more important is that all that Eucharist represents, that is coming together at the table, sharing bread and wine, experiencing Christ’s presence, forgiving and loving one another, we experienced at every moment of the trip. Eucharist with a little e broke down the barriers between us, opened our eyes and our hearts, inspired us to extend ourselves to one another.  This most precious eucharistic spirit continues in each of us as we work together at St. Norbert.  And this is what I wish most for the next Heritage Tour.